Last week’s poll: RoboRace

Is there any value to the ‘RoboRace’ series for autonomous cars that will accompany Formula E races from later this year?

Next season’s Formula E series will feature a race between driverless autonomous vehicles, a contest centred around the best control and AI software to operate the cars.

The Engineer asked if there’s any value to the ‘RoboRace’, and the results point to a close finish at the poll’s chequered flag with 30 per cent agreeing that it will encourage development but won’t be a spectacle, and 28 per cent taking the view that merging motorsport and gaming will be interesting.

A fifth of respondents agreed that there’s no point to the race without any human skill, and the remaining 22 per cent was split equally between those believing there will need to be a noticeable difference in performance and the remainder who opted for the ‘none of the above’ option.

The poll is now closed but we value your opinions on this subject and would like to hear what you think via Comments below.

Much like the competitions for robot footballers or computer chess players, there will be a small core of interested spectators from within the disciplines involved in creating them. A wider audience will show little interest except where the competition is part of a larger spectacle. The first few may get a mention in the general media because of the novelty but this will soon fade as it did for robot football. The cost of the sport will prohibit all but the largest companies from taking part; there will be little chance of a small organisation with a great idea making an impact unless they have a wealthy and enthusiastic sponsor.

Certainly an interesting concept. I guess that in the early days at least there should be plenty of the things that people watch motorsport for, wheel to wheel racing and overtaking. But above all else, what the paying public really loves to see is crashes. This could be the perfect forum as there is no danger to human life so greater risks can be taken.
It should also bring on the development of AI control of vehicles.

I have “watched” Formula E – like paint drying – somewhat like most of F1 ( recent race excepted) – depends on the rules – I am no longer a fan of Modern motorsport – no longer is the driver FULLY responsible for his vehicle.If model robot cars then definitely OK as merging sport with gaming ( gaming as in video style games?) However with REAL sized vehicles, there is the definitive of dealing with the consequences of things going wrong FOR ALL TO SEE & be aware of. However as a back-door to acceptance in everyday life……..

Voted “…need for visible performance difference” – surely if risk to life is removed, the performance can be pushed to the physical limits, satisfying the needs of crash-hungry spectators.
This could no doubt feed AI development for passenger carrying autonomous vehicles once the ability to overcome dangerous situations (caused by the non-autonomous road-vehicle majority) is honed.

Amongst the things that make motor racing interesting – the spectacle (including the sound), skills, mistakes, the unexpected; things that make motor racing boring – domination of the races by one team with drivers not allowed “to compete”. Autonomous vehicles would be even more boring than current F1.

I agree with most comments above – as it’s such a fresh idea.
It could be really boring OR amazing if they get the rules right.
Maybe it’s the first time motorsport could be opened up to the masses – I’m thinking driver change (autonomous to human) where the race is spllit into sections, the human could be in an arcade in the pits or on occaision sat at home on their games console.
It depends how inspired and inspiring the regulators will be.

Safety and passenger comfort are the prerequisites for autonomous vehicles on public roads. An autonomous racecar will presumably be designed to explore the limits, in which case it would be daft to perpetuate the dynamic compromises of the traditional 2-axle cart.

The beauty of robots is they have no emotion. The problem with people (drivers and designers) is they can’t divorce decision-making from their gut reactions. British Cycling psychologists call this the ‘inner chimp’.

Motor sport is steeped in an old-school culture of machismo that celebrates risk-taking beyond the boundaries of sound judgement. Drivers will oppose changes that make racing ‘too’ safe. (on the grounds that other guy will come unstuck, not me!) So we got lumbered with Formula E based on tradition, without any innovation. Now they’re making the same mistake on autonomous racecar design; what a heap of junk! There’s a simple old engineering adage – if it looks right, it is right. Whichever way you look at it, that thing looks wrong. (like F1, just a different cosmetic)

I think the human skill part of it will be how you programme the car. I certainly don’t agree that this is a pointless sport, instead of traditional automotive firms being the big players in racing, it could pave the way for computer programming firms or companies such as google being big in motorsport for a change. It’s always beneficial to have fresh eyes on any sport or engineering challenge and I certainly will be watching the first race.